The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7-5) continued their twelve-game road trip Tuesday in Syracuse against the Mets (2-10) at NBT Bank Stadium. The IronPigs are coming off a 2-4 record against the RailRiders last week. The starting pitchers for this game were Bailey Falter (0-0, 3.29 ERA) of the IronPigs against the Mets Franklyn Kilome (0-0, 3.75 ERA).
Jumping to the bottom of the first inning with two outs, the Mets struck first with second baseman Brandon Drury who hit a home run out to right field as Syracuse went up 1-0. The game went scoreless the next two innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, Mets pitcher Franklyn Kilome walked shortstop C.J. Chatham, first baseman Darick Hall, and third baseman Austin Listi to load the bases. After Kilome struck out right fielder Cornelius Randolph, he hit catcher Edgar Cabral to walk home a run. The game was tied at one apiece.
Moving ahead to the top of the fifth inning, IronPigs left fielder Travis Jankowski doubled to left field. The next batter up was second basemen, Luke Williams. He hit a flyout out towards right field that moved Jankowski to third base. IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak was next and hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Jankowski. Lehigh Valley took the lead 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Bryan Mitchell was pitching for the IronPigs. Mets first baseman David Thompson doubled to center field. Mets right fielder Quinn Brodey was next, and he had a sacrificed bunt to move Thompson to third base. Mitchell then walked left fielder Drew Jackson to put the runners on the corners.
Mets catcher Nick Meyer was up next. Meyer hit the ball that C.J. Chatham dove for and tossed to Luke Williams to get Drew Jackson out. Then Williams threw a low ball to first baseman Derick Hall that resulted in Meyer being safe at first base. David Thompson scored to tie the game at two apiece. The next Mets player up was shortstop Cody Bohanek. He doubled to center field. Nick Meyer scored, and the Mets took a 3-2 lead.
Then in the top of the seventh inning, the IronPigs made a statement. Mets pitcher Sam McWilliams walked IronPigs pitch hitter Ryan Cordell, Luke Williams, and Mickey Moniak to load the bases. The Mets made a pitching change with Yennsy Diaz taking over for McWilliams. IronPigs shortstop C.J. Chatham was next. He hit the ball towards third baseman Drew Jackson. Jackson then threw the ball to catcher Nick Meyer, who dropped the ball bringing home Ryan Cordell to tie the game at three apiece.
After Diaz got Darick Hall to fly out for the first out, he threw a wild pitch, and Luke Williams scored. Lehigh Valley regained the lead 4-3. IronPigs third baseman Austin Listi was up next and singled to left field to score two runners to blow the game open 6-3. Right fielder Cornelius Randolph flew out for the second out. Ironpigs catcher Edgar Cabral doubled to center field to score Listi for a 7-3 lead.
Kyle Dohy was brought in the eighth inning and walked three batters before the IronPigs went with Neftali Feliz to pitch the remaining eighth inning and ninth inning. Feliz took care of business as the IronPigs defeated the Mets 7-3.
Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Bailey Falter went 4.2 innings, four hits allowed, one run, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The rest of the IronPigs pitchers combined for 5.0 innings, six hits allowed, two runs, four walks, and six strikeouts. IronPigs Bryan Mitchell was the winning pitcher, the loss went to Sam McWilliams, and Neftali Feliz earned the save.
The IronPigs will meet the Mets again today at 6:35 pm on MiLB.com.
